Rolling Machine for Printed Substrates With Movable Path-Length Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rolling machines face challenges in handling large format continuous substrates, particularly in maintaining adequate winding tension without damaging the substrate during transport and ensuring high-quality printing by preventing mechanical tension on the print bed.
Innovation Solution
A rolling machine with an intermediate unit featuring a movable support and a second roller that translates perpendicularly to adjust the path length of the substrate, combined with controlled stop elements to manage tension without pulling the substrate during printing, allowing it to exit naturally from the printer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the substrate is pulled out of the printer during printing to maintain winding tension, then the rolling tension on the reel is improved, but the print quality deteriorates due to mechanical tension on the print bed
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the substrate path into two independent controllable segments: the first path from the printer to the first roller, and the second path from the first roller to the reel. Each segment can be controlled independently through separate rollers with different tension characteristics, allowing the print bed area to remain tension-free while the rolling area maintains adequate tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The first roller acts as an intermediary element between the printer and the reel. It receives the substrate from the printer without applying tension (maintaining print quality) and then guides it to the reel where tension is applied for proper winding. This intermediary roller decouples the tension requirements of the two areas.
2Manufacturing precision
If the substrate is allowed to exit naturally from the printer without tension, then the print quality is maintained, but the winding tension on the reel becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate transport path is segmented into two independently controllable sections. The first section from the printer to the first roller allows natural exit without tension for quality printing. The second section from the first roller to the reel applies controlled tension through the roller's resistance to substrate passage, ensuring proper winding tension without affecting the printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
Different tension characteristics are applied to different parts of the substrate path. The area near the printer (first path) has low or zero tension for quality printing, while the area near the reel (second path) has higher tension for proper winding. Each roller is configured with appropriate tension characteristics for its local function.
Data Source
AI summary
A rolling machine suitable for rolling up a continuous printed support, even of great length, is provided having an intermediate unit, containing a second roller with a mobile axis mounted on a movable support of the machine. The second roller is configured to receive a printed substrate and to drag it simultaneously in an direction of advancement towards the roll on which the reel is wound and in a direction perpendicular to the direction of advancement. The movable support is configured to translate perpendicularly to the movable axis of the second roller to increase/reduce a length of an overall path of the printed substrate from the printer to the reel on which it is rolled. A related control method of such a rolling machine is also disclosed.